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Oklahoma State football notebook: Depleted receiving corps limiting Joseph Randle in passing game

Joseph Randle had five catches for 37 yards against TCU, his best receiving performance since he caught eight balls for 70 yards against Arizona in Week 2.

BY GINA MIZELL •
Published: November 1, 2012

Before the season, Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy projected that running back Joseph Randle would be the Cowboys' leading receiver, mostly because of his ability to get the ball from several spots on the field.

TCU's Elisha Olabode (6) tackles Oklahoma State's Joseph Randle (1) during a college football game between Oklahoma State University (OSU) and Texas Christian University (TCU) at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

Randle had five catches for 37 yards against TCU, his best receiving performance since he caught eight balls for 70 yards against Arizona in Week 2.

Gundy said Monday that Randle, really, should be catching even more passes. But because of the Cowboys' banged-up receiving corps, Randle becomes less involved.

“There are some plays we're calling now that only two people are involved in,” Gundy said. “It's not ever been that way before. It's always been five people that are involved in our plays, but we don't have that luxury right now.

“If we were back to our base system, (Randle) would get the ball more because he becomes more of a viable check-down guy. But right now it doesn't work with what we're doing.”

Interestingly, Randle's best two receiving games this season have come with Wes Lunt at quarterback. On the season, he's got 20 catches for 154 yards, which ranks fifth on the team.

WHO IS K-STATE'S SECOND-BEST PLAYER?

It's obvious who Kansas State's top player is. His name is Collin Klein, and he's the front-runner to win the Heisman.

“I've never been in the NFL and I don't draft players, but I wouldn't mind picking (Brown) early, spending some money on him,” Gundy said.

Brown is a semifinalist for the Butkus and Bednarik awards, which are given to the nation's best linebacker and defensive player, respectively. He leads the Wildcats with 60 tackles and has two interceptions, three pass breakups, one sack and a fumble recovery this season.